"LIVE" from Celebrity Mercury / Jan 2, 2010

[bug_dan]

I also want to thank you for the great pictures, certainly brings back memories of our Thanksgiving cruise on the Mercury. We didn't get to visit Cococay, so will be interested in seeing what we missed:) Not to rush your cruise, but we are eagerly anticipating sailing on Monday when you get off:D

[bambam2972]

I agree, the ships are so beautiful when they're lit up at night.

 

Enjoy Coco Cay! I can't wait for the next installment (and the video later).

[robtulipe]

 

 

The Mercury left today at 740PM.(The Captain said we were waiting for a few passengers arriving from the Airport ?? (??)

 

They were likely crew or entertainers this late in your cruise. I am really enjoying your reports and pictures.

[CruzinSoulMates]

Hello everyone. . . As soon as I walked off of the ship today, I checked out some of the pricing for rental cars, and scooters. Not today. . .I just decided to walk around.

 

I first went over to the British Colonial Hilton, to see about getting a day pass. I did this last Nov when I was here last. The cost is US40, and that includes a $30 food/drink voucher. The water was cold, and the pool was cold. No swimming for me today. . .

 

I decided to walk around and take some photos of the grounds. I used the Internet there as well (in the Business Center) I found out quickly that there are dozens of free Wi-Fi areas in Nassau. You just have to be patient to find them.

 

Directly across the street from BCH, there were 5 Wi-Fi areas. There were several Wi-Fi areas between the BCH and the ship.

So if you have a phone that offers Wi-Fi. . .just scan for the areas for free internet.

 

The weather today was a little cloudy.(OK. . .alot cloudy) and a little cool (71F), but there was no rain !

 

I also went over to the Pirates of Nassau exhibit. It was pretty good. . . There were a lot of interesting things there. The effects were good as well. It really feels like you are in the hold of a pirate ship during part of the tour. The price is worth US12 PP.

 

I had to stop at Starbucks for a nice cup of Coffee. . .I have 2 questions for Nassau Starbucks. 1. Why can’t I use my Starbucks Gift Card ?, and 2. Why is Nassau Starbucks the only Starbucks that charges for Internet Access ? ($3/2hrs) I know the price is not bad. . .I’m just sayin’

 

 

On my way back to the ship I tried some of the conch Fritters that I have heard so much about. Wow, they were tasty. They seemed to have the perfect spices.

 

The Mercury left today at 740PM.(The Captain said we were waiting for a few passengers arriving from the Airport ?? (??)

We will sail tonight for Coco Cay, and should arrive by 8AM. The first tender will be at 815AM.

I will be going ashore and would love to report on what changes there have been since my last visit to Coco Cay several years ago.

 

Here are a few pics from today. . .I have so many but can only include 6 images per post. The bulk of the images will be loaded on my cruise page when I return.

 

 

Thanks for tuning in ! More pics are on the way. . .

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

Radio........I absolutely love following your live threads. Thank you for "taking" us with you. I have a question about Nassau. My partner and I will be traveling there on our May cruise. We have never been there. We were looking forward to going to Atlantis (by taxi). Lately, I came across some scary threads regarding the crime in Nassau. Did you feel unsafe at anytime? There were some threads that depicted Nassau as an awful, crime ridden place. So much so, that it is making us think that maybe we should stay on the ship. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks and enjoy the rest of your trip.

[dixieva]

I'm sure Radio will answer your question regarding Nassau but I thought I would chime in too. I've been to Nassau several times and have never felt uneasy there. Now I don't run around there after dark. But during the day I've always felt safe. I taken a taxi to Atlantis several times. The taxi dirvers are very nice. Don't stay on the ship or you'll miss a very nice port.

 

Just my opinion and others may disagree.

 

Have a great cruise.

 

Radio- I'm enjoying your cruise right along with you! Thanks!

[cookiejarvis]

Lately, I came across some scary threads regarding the crime in Nassau. Did you feel unsafe at anytime? There were some threads that depicted Nassau as an awful, crime ridden place. So much so, that it is making us think that maybe we should stay on the ship. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks and enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

Although I am not Radio, I have been to Nassau four other occasions. Never have I felt unsafe.

 

RADIO As always, another day and post of great pics. Have fun today. Be sure to wear sunscreen.:cool::cool:

 

Cookie

[Pikachui]

Hello! We are on trhe 1/23 cruise and staying in your cabin: 9047!! Sooo, how were your/our accomodations? Looks like you had a nice steward as well. How many were at your table for dinner? We have a party of 6 , late seating. Any comments about the cabin/deck are appreciated. Thank you, Bob & debbie

 

Hey Bob

(Not sure if this is the best way for me to reply so many apologies Radio for hijacking your thread!!):o

The Cabin was fine - plenty of storage space in both cabin and bathroom, a little sofa in front of the window and the window was a decent size to sit and look out and try to spot flying fish. Mercury isn't the newest ship we have been on but we were still very comfortable in our cabin and enjoyed our holiday. Lourence was lovely, very accomodating, responsive but not over-bearing in anyway - we asked for extra pillows, ice, and he helped with decorations for my husband's birthday. We gave him a little present on Christmas Day and a small gratuity (in addition to the automatic service charge) on our last day.

 

The cabin is well placed for going up to the sun deck/buffet, and also for going down to the Celebrity Theatre.

 

We had 4 at our table in MDR - we didn't know the other 2 but we have become good friends and will stay in touch. The food in the MDR was probably the one part of our cruise that didn't quite live up to our expectations - and this may be because on our Grand Princess trip in June the food was absolutely outstanding. Saying that, if we didn't like something, then our waiter was really accomodating and changed it for us - and we were hardly going to starve on there!! The buffet restaurant (Palm Springs) was the best buffet set up we have had however, especially the Stir Fry station - Yum!!:D

 

Hope this helps a little.

 

Tracey

[chihuaha]

...the forecast is calling for 74F while ashore. (With no rain!)....

 

Another devoted follower, Radio. Thanks for allowing all of us to "armchair cruise" with you again. I am intrigued enough to have even gone back and read some of your archived "live" threads for ships we have sailed on.

 

FYI your final leg northbound may be a bit rough. Another strong cold front is working off the US east coast today and the offshore forecast calls for gale force winds and medium-high seas tomorrow. It will also be almost "on your nose" so the apparent wind on deck tomorrow could be 40-50 knots. Hang on if you go out on deck forward!

 

I think head seas are easier on the stabilizers than quartering or stern seas, so the ride may not be too bad. Have a safe and fun trip back to homeport.

 

M & J

 

PS: Began following the thread as we live just north of Charleston, and the Mercury will be based there for the last half of the winter season, ending with a Panama transit in April. We are considering booking one or the other..

[CruzinSoulMates]

I'm sure Radio will answer your question regarding Nassau but I thought I would chime in too. I've been to Nassau several times and have never felt uneasy there. Now I don't run around there after dark. But during the day I've always felt safe. I taken a taxi to Atlantis several times. The taxi dirvers are very nice. Don't stay on the ship or you'll miss a very nice port.

 

Just my opinion and others may disagree.

 

Have a great cruise.

 

Radio- I'm enjoying your cruise right along with you! Thanks!

 

Although I am not Radio, I have been to Nassau four other occasions. Never have I felt unsafe.

 

RADIO As always, another day and post of great pics. Have fun today. Be sure to wear sunscreen.:cool::cool:

 

Cookie

 

 

Dixieva and Cookie...........Thank you for your input. I was so excited about visiting Atlantis, but after all I heard, I wasn't so sure. All we plan to do is take a taxi to Atlantis, visit Atlantis itself and the aquarium. Then, take a taxi back to the ship. No intentions whatsoever of exploring off the beaten path. That said, how did you enjoy Atlantis? Where did you purchase your tickets?

[LAH718]

You have my thanks too for your posts and great photos. I'll also be watching for the Coco Cay photos later today to see what we missed on the Thanksgiving cruise.

 

Linda

[dixieva]

Check out this web site Port of Call Board for Bahamas:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

 

There is lots of info there on Atlantis. You don't need a ticket unless you want access to their beach or pool (which we didin't so we didn't buy a ticket.) We just walked around the grounds and spent some time in the casino.

 

Radio-great pics! Hope your sail home is not too rough, windy or cold!

[BonnieVA]

Thanks Bonnie for the nice words. We left Nassau at 740PM.

 

The site you may be using might indicate if the Ships Position is Actual Time or Scheduled Time. I know that's how ********** does it.

 

Radio,

 

Darn - I wish I could have seen the name of the website you posted before it was edited. The site I use says this, so I would THINK it's actual time but it must have its limitations on accuracy:

 

"We primarily use data reported via the World Meteorological Organization's Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) program to provide a snapshot of current weather conditions at sea, worldwide. This data can also be used to track the progress of ships at sea. Many ships do not report their weather observations to WMO, or report only sporadically; these ships will not have records in our database. Additional information comes from the YOTREPS network of cruising yachts; YOTREPS positions are updated only once per day." Who knows?

 

I had asked you before but, if you get a chance while you're roaming the ship, could you stop by the Sky deck & say "hi" to the head stweard, Herme, for me? He'll know who I am (I was on the Mercury in Nov).

 

Thanks for all your work!

[CruzinSoulMates]

Check out this web site Port of Call Board for Bahamas:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

 

There is lots of info there on Atlantis. You don't need a ticket unless you want access to their beach or pool (which we didin't so we didn't buy a ticket.) We just walked around the grounds and spent some time in the casino.

 

Radio-great pics! Hope your sail home is not too rough, windy or cold!

 

 

Dixieva........I have been on that thread. That is where I heard all the stories from.:eek:

[dixieva]

Really? I must say I'm surprised. As I said before I always felt safe in Nassau.

[Radio]

Hello everyone. . . I returned from the island of Coco Cay, and must say, that this is the best day of the cruise.

We had great sun, and warm weather (Not hot. . .but not cold !)

 

I went ashore at about 10AM. The water was beautiful. As soon as I went ashore, I decided to just walk around and take some pics.

I didn’t see many people in the water. . .most were simply relaxing and getting some much needed sun.

 

I laid out for just a bit, but that’s all that it took for me to be asleep.(just a little nap) I guess if you have to take a nap somewhere. . .the place to do it would be a beautiful secluded beach.

Lunch was served at noon, and they had what you may expect. (Ribs, burgers, hot dogs, BBQ Chicken etc. . .

 

I spoke to the “Camp Boss” on Coco Cay, and she suggested that they have added many fresh water showers on the island, and repainted all of the structures. They also added a new food station (They did this for the Freedom Class Ships). The also added several new Fischer Price kids areas around the island.

 

When I asked if there was to be a pier built like at Labadee. . .

The response was clear. . . .“That won’t be happening”

It really seems that RCCL have added many thing since I was here last (several years ago)

 

I stopped in to the Coco Cay Straw market, and looked around but I didn’t see anything that caught my eye. As I left Coco Cay around 2PM, I saw another tender filled with passengers coming ashore.

 

We were anchored near Norwegian Pearl, which was anchored offshore from Great Stirrup Cay. We just left Coco Cay at 515PM. We still have 3 more nights on Mercury !

 

Tonight we have the Senior Officer’s Cocktail Party at 745, and a Tropical Night Celebration up at the Pool at 1030PM.

 

Here are a few pics from today. . .There will be many, many more posted when I return.

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

We had a full tender going ashore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We pull away from the tender station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrity Mercury was basking in the sunlight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrive to Coco Cay (about a 5 min ride)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Island Oasis (There were dozens of these lounges for passenger use)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The water was beautiful

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

Here are a few more pics. . . I know. . .I always post them like this. . .

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

They had lounge chairs everywhere

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were a lot of passengers ashore today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snorkel Shack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I liked that they offer Sailboat/Cat Rentals ($35/hr)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a lot of shaded areas to eat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caylana is the keeper of Coco Cay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Lois R]

Everytime I look at your photos I want to laugh and cry....:D:(

I sail next week which is why I am happy:) but the sad face is I am still in the freezing cold weather:rolleyes:

Those pictures? Mercury is my favorte ship and your photos reconfirm

why...she is looking spectacular (in my opinion):)

I need to book her for later in the year!

[Radio]

Just a few more from today. . . It’s getting close to dinner time !

 

 

Thanks for tuning in.

 

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

Everywhere that you looked was beautiful scenery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beaches were clean and soft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The water was very clear too. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You could see Mercury from everywhere on the island !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we were in paradise. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We head back to board Celebrity Mercury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

It is time for dinner, but I loved these palm trees on CoCo Cay ! ;);)

 

 

 

Radio

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

 

 

I Love them !

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

Everytime I look at your photos I want to laugh and cry....

I sail next week which is why I am happy but the sad face is I am still in the freezing cold weather

Those pictures? Mercury is my favorte ship and your photos reconfirm

why...she is looking spectacular (in my opinion)

I need to book her for later in the year!

 

 

Thanks for the very nice comments !

 

I'm sure our paths will cross on a cruise somewhere. . .

 

Radio

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[dixieva]

Man oh man I just have to go there sometime! Always wondered what it looked like-now I know! I love Labadee and have been there several times.

 

Someday I'll book a cruise that stops at Coco Cay!

 

It was torture looking at the pics as the weather today in Va. was a brisk 32 for the high with winds gusting around 20 so the wind chill was brutal!

[BonnieVA]

Radio,

 

Your photography is stunning. You have a great artistic eye for the shots.

 

Did you walk along the trails to the other sides of CoCo Cay or did you stay near the main beach area? I'm curious as to how far of a walk it is along the walking trail & to the more remote beaches.

 

Thanks,

Bonnie

 

PS: Hope you enjoy dinner tonight.

[retiring soon]

Hi again!

Radio ~ I see you've been to the Caribbean on HAL too. How does Halfmoon Cay compare to CoCo Cay in your opinion?

I'm going back on FOS, Eastern Caribbean in Nov & am looking forward to seeing CCC.

Are those curtained beach loungers free? I was surprised to see the Caylana sign is from Coke ~ is there some connection?

Glad you had a nice sunny, warm day & I'm loving your pictures!!

~Jo~:)

[wvufan]

I scurried around all day today packing for our drive to Baltimore tomorrow and our cruise on Monday. As usual, things were getting hectic, and I needed a break.

 

So, I went back and looked again at this entire thread, and already feel like we're at sea:).

 

Magnificent job-sets the gold standard for "live from" threads.

 

You da man.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

[Radio]

Radio........I absolutely love following your live threads. Thank you for "taking" us with you. I have a question about Nassau. >SNIP<Did you feel unsafe at anytime? There were some threads that depicted Nassau as an awful, crime ridden place. So much so, that it is making us think that maybe we should stay on the ship. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks and enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

I felt safe at all times. . . The Atlantis is a World Class Resort. I would go there with no worries.(I have been there many times)

 

I walked around all day by myself. . . I tried to find a Segway, but none could be found. :eek:

 

 

Radio

;);)